ptsd Got A Copy Of My C&p Exam Yesterday- Mad!

[iraqx2]

I am very easy going and very few things in life can set me off, but dealing with the VA fires me up! I know others are going thru the same or worst.

This is a followup to my situation and from the previous postings.

I am in the midst of gathering information to file an NOD against a decision after a C&P evaluation that was done a couple of months ago. The decision by the VA was that my PTSD should " REMAIN THE SAME" at 30%.

Folks, that statement alone is definitely a low ball tactic.

When I showed up early for my TBI exam yesterday, I decided to go down and get my medical records, to include the C&P report, which I've never seen.

To my anger and amazement, the report sites NUMEROUS AND BLATANT summary on how bad my PTSD has WORSEN, 6 pages of it!!

Doctor's summary categorized the symptoms as " SEVERE"!!

Is there anything else I should know that is worse than that?

How could the raters have missed their own doctor's evaluations? The only positives which the VA countered on the letter with in keeping the rating the same are-

1- His answers were logical, well groomed

2- He is holding a job

3- He seems to be doing ok

What a joke!!

Two tours in Iraq , all the horror, pain, sickness, suffering , sacrifices, and this is what I get??

[robert51]

First off, thanks for all your comments and concerns. Without a doubt, my expression is not by any means that I am giving up, but makes me a better man and stronger to fight the system.

I know there are others that have it or going through worst than I am. Combat Veterans from other and older conflicts who suffered and did not received anything had it even worst. Those are my true heroes.

My GAF score is 44. Yes, I do have a job, my 4th in 3 years ( and probaly soon to be out the door ). The new Alex has no personality, a bad drinking problem, can't sleep, bad memory, anxiety attacks, etc. I am truly not the same person as before.

It is a mental disorder.

Point is, if you are alive, the VA figures that you are good to go.

I will work on my NOD this weekend.

I just wanted to vent today. I am keeping my head up tall and proud.

Take care folks!

the problem with these exams is .... we as men and women willing to go to war go out of our way to NOT show any weakness or pain... many a vet has been cheated becase they went to exam and put on a great front ... letting the exam people know that big boys and girls dont cry... in this case they will use that against you....when you have an exam its ok to be a mess to not be sure what your doing, to not make any sence... tell them like you tell us... dont be thinking they will look down on you like your weak.. dont even care what they think they dont walk in your shoes..

[rentalguy1]

testvet: I think what jbasser meant was that there are several vets out there who should be rated at the 100% level, but they are not becuase they have to work every day to support their family. If those vets could get to the financial high ground, then they could stop working and persue the 100% or IU rating. Unfortuneately, it is doubtful that this would happen for the majority of these vets until they reach retirement age.

[timetowinarace]

J Basser the people you know working that are 100% I imagine are not SC for PTSD one of the requirements for 100% PTSD or TDIU 70% PTSD is being unemployable now there are other reasons to be 100% and still able to hold jobs I know a few double amputees that work, even a quad there ratings do not prevent them from holding a job and still getting the compensation but mental ratings require NO employment for the 100% rating

Not true. There is no requirement that a veteran be unemployable for any schedualer 100% rating (except IU). Even PTSD.

There 100% PTSD veterans that have gotten there ratings while working. There have been a couple that have posted on this board on this subject.

Those with mental disabilities are likely to be lowballed if they are working, but it is lowball ratings and not requirements or US Code that causes it.

It is a myth that employed veterans with mental disorders cannot get a 100% rating. It is a fact that employed veterans will likely get lowballed rating.

Time

Edited February 16, 2008 by timetowinarace

[Testvet]

the criteria for a 100% mental rating is being unemployable and unable to mainatin employment thus TDIU if you are 70%n and they award TDIU it is because the veteran is not employable other "physical disablilities do not have that clause in their criteria" only mental health you can tell me all day people with PTSD get 100% and can work and I can show you someone working under the table or is just waiting for the VA to whack them for fraud....I didn't write the criteria I just know what it says yes 30% and 50% can work even 70% but once they award TDIU thats it my ex son in laws dad was mad because they threw him out of Voc rehab college classes when they awarded his TDIU their theory was why pay for an education that the vet was never going to use

[Tbird]

there is a difference between IU and schedular - iu means unemployable and that is that. 100% rating for mental disabilities based on the Schedule for Rating Disabilities it seems that you can not work or you wouldn't be a 100% and i am only talking about mental disorders not physical

here is the text from the schedule for rating disabilities that states criteria for a rating of 100% for mental disorders and here's a link to the Rating Schedule Schedule for Rating Disabilities

General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders:

Total occupational and social impairment, due to 100

such symptoms as: gross impairment in thought

processes or communication; persistent delusions

or hallucinations; grossly inappropriate behavior;

persistent danger of hurting self or others;

intermittent inability to perform activities of

daily living (including maintenance of minimal

personal hygiene); disorientation to time or

place; memory loss for names of close relatives,

own occupation, or own name

the criteria for a 100% mental rating is being unemployable and unable to mainatin employment thus TDIU if you are 70%n and they award TDIU it is because the veteran is not employable other "physical disablilities do not have that clause in their criteria" only mental health you can tell me all day people with PTSD get 100% and can work and I can show you someone working under the table or is just waiting for the VA to whack them for fraud....I didn't write the criteria I just know what it says yes 30% and 50% can work even 70% but once they award TDIU thats it my ex son in laws dad was mad because they threw him out of Voc rehab college classes when they awarded his TDIU their theory was why pay for an education that the vet was never going to use

[Pete53]

We have gone over this many times and the general consensus is that if you are 100% and want to keep it don't work. If you are working and trying to get 100% forget it. The only 100% Vets I know of who work are ones who work as Service Officers and for some reason the VA leaves them alone. Probably a gentlemans agreement since the SO's really work for the VA and not us anyway.